Headgear having insulated ventilation channels and perspiration and moisture drainage channel

ABSTRACT

This headgear having insulated ventilation channels and perspiration and moisture drainage channel consists of top insulated ventilation channels  42  with front ventilation openings  44  and rear ventilation openings  60.  Insulated side walls  46  with side ventilation openings  48.  Rim with embedded perspiration and moisture drainage channel  50.  Perspiration and moisture drainage channel  66  perspiration and moisture collection holes  64  and perspiration and moisture drainage holes and rim adjustment strap  54.  Air circulates between front and back of top of headgear through insulated ventilation channels to aid in the removal of excess moisture and heat from the top of the wearer&#39;s head. Insulated side walls with ventilation holes aid in the removal of excess moisture and heat from the sides of the wearer&#39;s head. Perspiration and moisture from the wearer&#39;s head is removed through collection holes placed on the rim embedded perspiration and moisture drainage channel and drained through discharge holes placed at the ends of the drainage channel in the rear area of the headgear. Other embodiments are described and shown.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Provisional application No. 61/847,076 filed on Jul. 16, 2013

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

None

SEQUENCE LISTING

None

have developed a headgear that can assist in regulating temperature and managing perspiration and moisture levels generated by hot and humid conditions and or strenuous activities.

BACKGROUND

Headgear, caps, hats, are widely used in sports, recreational, military, law enforcement and various other types of activities. A vast majority of caps and hats currently being used during the aforementioned activities are made of light or thin fabrics, with the most popular and recognizable example being the baseball cap style hat. The baseball cap is very popular because it offers a large visor to protect the eyes from the sun's glare, is very light and it looks good, but offers limited protection from external heat sources such as direct sun light. In addition the baseball cap's light fabric construction is limited in its ability to regulate heat and moisture during hot and humid summer days, tropical weather conditions, and or strenuous physical activities.

Under high ambient temperature, humidity and or strenuous activities caps and hats become hot and saturated with perspiration and moisture causing the temperature of the wearer's head to rise. The human brain functions best within a certain range of temperatures and when these temperature ranges are lower or higher than adequate the body must compensate by taking resources from other organs. This transfer of energy from other parts of the body to maintain the brain within required temperature levels can affect the overall performance of individuals. This reduction in performance can be critical in situations such as high level sports competition and other strenuous and physically challenging activities.

Different types of light fabric headgear, caps and hats as well as adaptations and or alterations that can be incorporated or attached to better manage heat and moisture levels have been proposed. Although these variations and adaptations address heat and moisture discomforts, they require additional manipulation and components to function, and or are cumbersome to wear and or address one area of the over all heat and moisture discomfort. WO 94/09658 discloses means for ventilating and stabilizing headgear in the form of a flexible strip having, on one side, means of attachment to the headgear, and on its other side, a plurality of resilient or flexible spacers for spacing the headgear from a wearers head. A similar arrangement is proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,625,901. GB 713851 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,274,157 disclose a continuous sweat band which is held away from the inside of the hat by means of spacers. U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,214 B1 proposes a headgear ventilation device that attaches to the inside of the headgear by means of pressure sensitive adhesive. Publication No.: US 2012/0278969 A1 discloses a headgear that provides a moisture wicking mechanism, a visor with multiple soft absorbing sections for rapid drainage and evaporation of moisture and a sweatband that secures headgear to wearer's head.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment a headgear comprises top and sides ventilation and rim embedded perspiration and moisture drainage channel.

ADVANTAGES

Accordingly several advantages of one or more aspects are as follows: to provide a headgear that is light in weight and incorporates all its functions within its design. That headgear is easy to put on and take off. That headgear does not require additional after market components to achieve its intended purpose. That headgear adjusts to a wide range of temperature levels. That headgear retains an attractive design while performing its intended functions. These and other advantages of one or more aspects will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description and accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of none-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put in to practice. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 Is a front isometric view of one embodiment of headgear.

FIG. 2 Is a side view of headgear.

FIG. 3 Is a rear isometric view of headgear.

FIG. 4 Is a rear view of one embodiment of headgear.

FIG. 5 Is a top view of one embodiment of headgear.

FIG. 6 Is a bottom view of one embodiment of headgear.

FIG. 7. Is a cross-section side view of one embodiment of headgear.

FIG. 8. Is a cross-section side view of one embodiment of headgear showing airflow.

FIG. 9. Is another cross-section side view of one embodiment of headgear.

FIG. 9A. Is a expanded cross-section side view of perspiration and moisture drainage flow.

FIG. 10. Is another cross-section front view of one embodiment of headgear.

FIG. 11. Is another rear cross-section view of one embodiment of headgear.

FIG. 12. Is a isolated top view of one embodiment of the perspiration and moisture drainage channel.

FIG. 13 Is a front view of one embodiment of headgear.

FIG. 14 Is another rear isometric view of one embodiment of headgear.

FIG. 15 Is another bottom view of one embodiment of headgear.

DRAWING-REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   42. Insulated ventilation channels. -   44. Front ventilation openings. -   46. Insulated side wall. -   48. Side ventilation openings. -   50. Rim with embedded perspiration and moisture drainage channel. -   52. Visor. -   54. Rim adjustment strap. -   56. Top structural arch. -   58. Bottom structural arch. -   60. Rear ventilation opening. -   62. Insulated ventilation channel support ribs. -   64. Perspiration and moisture collection holes. -   66. Perspiration and moisture drainage channel. -   68. Perspiration and moisture discharge holes. -   70. Fabric mesh to cover front ventilation openings. -   72. Fabric mesh to cover rear ventilation opening. -   74. Fabric mesh to cover side ventilation openings. -   76. Fabric mesh to cover bottom of insulated ventilation channels.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front isometric view of one embodiment of headgear shaped similar to a baseball cap. Headgear has a baseball cap stile visor 52 made of plastic material to retain its shape and covered with fabric material. Visor 52 is attached to lower front edge of rim with embedded perspiration and moisture drainage channel 50. Rim 50 is made of a combination of plastic and fabrics. Front area of rim 50 is shaped higher in relation to its rear to fit front ventilation openings 44 which are cut in to rim 50. Above rim 50 are insulated ventilation channels 42 of semicircular shape which extend along the top of the headgear towards the back. It also reveals on the sides of headgear insulated side walls 46 composed of foam and fabric and side ventilation openings 48.

FIG. 2 illustrates side view of headgear with insulated ventilation channels 42 extending from above rim 50 to top structural arch 56. It also reveals another angle of insulated side walls 46 and side ventilation openings 48.

FIG. 3 illustrates rear isometric view of headgear with insulated ventilation channels 42 connecting with top structural arch 56 bottom structural arch 58 and rear ventilation opening 60. Top arch 56 and bottom arch 58 are made of plastic to retain their shape and covered with fabric.

FIG. 4 Shows rear view of one embodiment of headgear with rim adjustment strap 54 made of plastic, or leather, or Velcro so as to enabled wearer to adjust rim 50 tension.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of headgear showing insulated ventilation channels 42 extending from front of headgear towards back of headgear connecting with top structural arch 56.

FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of headgear showing inner side of insulated ventilation channels 42 and insulated ventilation channel support ribs 62. Ventilation channels 42 and support ribs 62 are preferably constructed of injection molded polyethylene foam.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side cross-section view of headgear with insulated ventilation channels 42 spaced between ventilation channel support ribs 62. It also reveals ventilation channels 42 connect with rim 50 above front ventilation openings 44 in front area of headgear. It also reveals ventilation channels 42 connect with top structural arch 56 bottom structural arch 58 and rear ventilation opening 60.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-section side view of one embodiment of headgear showing air flow entering through front ventilation openings 44 along insulated ventilation channels 42 and ventilation channel support ribs 62 between top structural arch 56 and bottom structural arch 58 and out rear ventilation opening 60.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side cross-section view of headgear showing rim 50 with embedded perspiration and moisture collection holes 64 perspiration and moisture drainage channel 66 and perspiration and moisture discharge holes 68.

FIG. 9A illustrates an expanded side cross-section view showing perspiration and moisture flow in to perspiration and moisture collection holes 64 through perspiration and moisture drainage channel 66 and out through perspiration and moisture discharge holes 68. Drainage channel 66 collection holes 64 and discharge holes 68 are preferably constructed of injection molded polyethylene foam.

FIG. 10 illustrates a front cross-section view of headgear showing inner side of front ventilation openings 44 insulated ventilation channels 42 ventilation channel support ribs 62 and perspiration and moisture drainage channel 66.

FIG. 11 illustrates a rear cross-section view of headgear showing ventilation channels 42 connecting to bottom structural arch 58. It also reveals ends of perspiration and moisture drainage channel 66 with perspiration and moisture collection holes 64 and perspiration and moisture discharge holes 68.

FIG. 12 illustrates isolated and detached embodiment of perspiration and moisture drainage channel 66 with perspiration and moisture collection holes 64 and drainage channel discharge holes 68. At present we contemplate the use of injection molded polyethylene foam for this embodiment but other waterproof and flexible materials can be use.

FIG. 13 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of headgear showing fabric mesh 70 covering front ventilation openings 44.

FIG. 14 illustrates rear isometric view of headgear showing fabric mesh 72 covering rear ventilation opening 60 and fabric mesh 74 covering side ventilation openings 48.

FIG. 15 illustrates a bottom view of headgear showing insulated ventilation channels 42 and support ribs 62 covered by fabric mesh 76.

Operation

Presented embodiment of headgear operates as follows. Headgear is held over wearer's head and pushed down until wearer's head fits snugly against ventilated channel support ribs 62 bottom structural arch 58 and rim 50 shown in (FIG. 6 and FIG. 7) Visor 52 protrudes from front of headgear to protect the eyes from direct sun light. Top of headgear ventilation takes effect when ambient air enters through front of headgear via ventilation openings 44 passing through ventilation channels 42 which are divided by support ribs 62 and continues to flow between top structural arch 56 and bottom structural arch 58 and exits through rear ventilation opening 60 as shown in (FIG. 8). This ventilating action within the ventilation channels 42 helps to remove body heat generated by the wearer's head and replacing it with fresh air. In addition insulated ventilation channels 42 protect the wearer's head from external heat sources by reducing the thermal effect of direct sun light. Set between headgear and wearer's head is positioned fabric mesh 76 that covers ventilation channels 42 to keep wearer's hair from blocking air flow as shown in (FIG. 15) On sides of headgear insulated side walls 46 help regulate temperature from external heat sources like sun light and have ventilation openings 48 that allow air to flow removing additional body heat as shown in (FIG. 1) Embedded along inner side area of rim 50 is rim embedded perspiration and moisture drainage channel 66 with perspiration and moisture collection holes 64 and perspiration and moisture drainage discharge holes 68 shown in (FIG. 9A and FIG. 12). To collect perspiration and moisture rim embedded drainage channel 66 forms a pressure seal around the wearer's head and face area to capture perspiration and moisture in to collection holes 64 and into drainage channel 66 and out through discharge holes 68. Perspiration and moisture drainage flow is accomplished by the inclination of the headgear as it is placed in the wearer's head at an angle starting above the eyes and downwards towards the rear of neck area. This inclination of the headgear allows perspiration and moisture to flow by force of gravity towards the perspiration and moisture discharge holes 68 which are located at each end of the perspiration and moisture drainage channel 66 shown in (FIG. 3 and FIG. 11) causing perspiration and moisture to flow along the back sides of the wearer's neck. The amount of perspiration and moisture flow can be regulated with the rim adjustment strap 54 shown in (FIG. 4 and FIG. 14) and accomplished by increasing or decreasing the tension around the rim 50 which will expand or contract the aperture on perspiration and moisture drainage channel 66.

Fabric mesh is placed over front ventilation openings 44 to keep insects from entering ventilation channels 42 as shown in (FIG. 13) Fabric mesh 72 is placed over rear ventilation opening 60 to keep insects from entering ventilation channels 42 as shown in (FIG. 14) Fabric mesh 74 is placed on side ventilation holes 48 to keep insects away from sides of wearer's head as shown in (FIG. 14)

Conclusion, Ramifications and Scope

While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope, but rather as an exemplification of several embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example:

-   -   Front ventilation openings for insulated ventilation channels         can be more or less, larger or smaller and of different shapes         to aid in more or less air intake depending on the requirements.         In addition openings can be closed with a foam plug to stop air         flow and retain the heat within the headgear under cold weather         conditions.     -   Insulated ventilation channels can be smaller or larger, flatter         or rounder, rectangular or square, or of different shapes to         best aid the air flow. In addition, ventilation channels can be         more or less in number, depending on the size of the air         passages and desired applications.     -   Insulated side wall can be larger or smaller and have more or         less ventilation openings, and ventilation openings can be         larger or smaller, in greater or lesser quantities depending on         the desired application.     -   Rear ventilation opening for insulated ventilation channels can         be larger or smaller and of different shapes to aid in more or         less air passage depending on the desired application. In         addition rear ventilation opening can be one or more, and can be         closed with a foam plug to stop air flow and retain the heat         within the headgear under cold weather conditions.     -   Top and bottom structural arches can be wider or narrower,         longer or shorter to aid in the support of the rest of the         components within the headgear. In addition top and bottom         arches can be made of foam or plastic of different levels of         stiffness.     -   Perspiration and moisture collection holes can be larger or         smaller and of different shapes and in different quantities.     -   Perspiration and moisture drainage channel can be wider or         narrower, thicker or thinner, higher or lower, oval, round or         rectangular in shape and made of different materials of harder         or softer composition.     -   Perspiration and moisture drainage channel discharge holes can         be larger or smaller, in greater quantities and be located in         different areas.     -   Insulated ventilation channels and support ribs can be of         different thicknesses.     -   Insulated side wall insulation material can be of different         thicknesses.     -   Fabric mesh to cover front ventilation openings, side         ventilation openings and rear ventilation opening can be of         different materials, sizes and shapes.     -   Fabric mesh to keep hair from blocking insulated ventilation         channels can be of a narrower or wider pattern and can cover the         whole inside of headgear or specific areas of headgear. In         addition it can be detachable or permanent.     -   The headgear manufacturing process can be accomplished in         different ways including but not limiting to injection molding,         stitched, glued, interlocked or any method that simplifies its         construction and improves its performance and durability.     -   The fabric covering over the embodiment can be of different         materials.

Accordingly the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A headgear suited for extraneous outdoor activities comprising: a. a rim 50 with a plurality of front ventilation openings 44 and a visor 52, b. said front ventilation openings 44 open to a plurality of insulated ventilation channels 42 and a plurality of insulated ventilation channel support ribs 62 having means for attachment to top structural arch 56 and bottom structural arch 58 having means to form a rear ventilation opening 60, c. said top structural arch 56 and said bottom structural arch 58 having means for attachment to rear area of said rim 50, d. the rim 50 having means for attachment to rim embedded perspiration and moisture drainage channel 66 perspiration and moisture collection holes 64 and perspiration and moisture discharge holes 68, e. insulated side walls 46 and side ventilation openings 48 having means for attachment to rim 50 insulated ventilation channel support ribs 62 top structural arch 56 and bottom structural arch 58, f. the rim 50 having a rim adjustment strap 54 having means to expand or contract perspiration and moisture drainage channel
 66. 2. A headgear suited for extraneous outdoor activities of claim 1 wherein insulated ventilation channels 42 and insulated ventilation channel support ribs 62 are composed of injection molded polyethylene foam and covered with fabric and fabric mesh.
 3. A headgear suited for extraneous outdoor activities of claim 1 wherein rim embedded perspiration and moisture drainage channel 66 perspiration and moisture collection holes 64 and perspiration and moisture discharge holes 68 are composed of injection molded polyethylene foam.
 4. A headgear suited for extraneous outdoor activities of claim 1 wherein rim 50 is composed of plastic, fabrics and having the means for attachment to rim embedded perspiration and moisture drainage channel
 66. 5. A headgear suited for extraneous outdoor activities of claim 1 wherein top structural arch 56 and bottom structural arch 58 are composed of plastic, fabric and fabric mesh. 